Régates Royales – Trophée Panerai in Bay of Cannes

by Soazig Guého on 21 Sep 2008
From 21 to 28 September, the Régates Royales – Trophée Panerai will take place in the magnificent Bay of Cannes. More than 80 dragons and some of the world’s finest yachts will compete in what is the 30th edition of the race.

A little bit of history

This year, the Cannes Régates Royales will have a very particular atmosphere as the event is celebrating its 30th anniversary. First created in 1928, the Cannes Régates Royales were infused with new life in 1978 by Philippe Monnet and Jean-Pierre Odéro.

This wonderful adventure starts when the ex-around the world sailing record holder (upwind and against strong currents) Philippe Monnet purchased an old sailing yacht abandoned in the Bay des Anges and decided to restore it.

'This 8 Metre was my first experience with sailing and the sea. I came from my home town in Haute-Savoie in September 1975 aged 16, never having set foot on a boat, and discovered the joys of sailing on board Mykonos. At the time, I was more involved in horse riding. I learnt to get to know the boat, to do my first tacks, solo night sails… Slowly, docking maneuvers were carried out without incidence and even became elegant under sail! I was very quickly seduced by the idea of competitive sailing'.

On a Saturday afternoon at the beginning of September 1978 Philippe Monnet and Pierrot Lambert contacted the Cannes Yacht Club to set a course and provide a Committee boat, and in this way the Cannes Régates Royales was re-launched . . .

From the second edition, competitors were jostling for places and the event took place over a week with the active participation of the Société Nautique de Génève, welcoming Toucans, Requins, Dragons, 6 Metres and the 8 Metre Class.

On the programme

All can watch these graceful yachts as they race in the Bay of Cannes. The courses will be set close to the beach and the jetty with upwind-downwind races for the Dragon Class and inshore courses set within the Bay for the other classes.

The Société Nautique de Genève organises its annual regatta

Traditionally, the Société Nautique de Génève relocates one of its annual regattas to the open sea. It is also the opportunity for Alinghi to fulfill the condition of the 'Deed of gift' that allows Switzerland to take part in the America’s Cup.

The Cannes Yacht Club is twinned with the Yacht Club de France and therefore the alliance with the Société Nautique de Génève provides a natural setting on the French Riviera. The three clubs will this year organize the official annual regattas coinciding with the first days of the traditional Régates Royales-Trophée Panerai, on Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 of September 2008.